Protecting your privacy and rights: How to file an exemption

The purpose of this communication is to update you on the critical steps UFCW 21 has taken and is continuing to take to protect member’s privacy and let you know the steps you need to take to file an exemption to a public information release if you are a victim of domestic violence or have special privacy needs. Note: Action must be taken by March 31, 2020.

Background: Legal & Legislative Action In December, UFCW 21 joined several other Unions in filing a court injunction to block members’ private information from being shared with the Freedom Foundation. The Freedom Foundation requested your private information from your Employer—along with thousands of other public sector employees across the state such as educators, fire fighters, government employees, and other health care workers.

As a reminder, the Freedom Foundation is an extreme organization dedicated to, in their own words, “defund and defang,” the union. They oppose everything we support as union members: better hospital staffing, a voice at work to advocate for our patients and community, and the right to negotiate with our employers. They may claim to care about you, but their real interest is to limit our power and ability to stand together for the issues we care deeply about.

Under a recent Washington State Supreme Court ruling, the birth dates of employees at public agencies must be available to anyone who files a public disclosure request.

A temporary restraining order (TRO) has been secured to stop the immediate release of this sensitive information and requires public agencies to screen for employees who are victims of domestic violence and workers with special privacy needs. The temporary order bars government agencies from releasing names until March 31, and not to release any information about the protected employees at that time.

The TRO provides public employees (and/or their families) who have been victims of sexual assault, stalking, and/or domestic violence, or have a court issued temporary protection order or anti-harassment order (not limited to domestic violence) the right to keep their birth date information private.

UFCW 21 is continuing to use all our tools, including legislative action, to protect your privacy. In January, our Healthcare Advisory Board, which includes Healthcare Members from across the state, met with our legislators to advocate for House Bill 1888—protecting employee information from private disclosure. The good news is, it just passed off the senate floor! After a final procedural step, it will head to Governor Inslee’s desk for signature. This is what happens when we stand together in our workplaces and in the halls of Olympia.

If you have questions contact Kendra Valdez, Membership Action Director, 206-436-6533 or 1-800-732-1188, ext. 6533 email: kvaldez@ufcw21.org